Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Ireland and UK prepares to celebrate vibrant towns and cities

The annual celebration of the Purple Flag programme, which recognises excellence in the management of the evening and night-time economy (ENTE) in Ireland and the UK, will be taking place on the weekend of the 07-09 October 2016.

Towns and cities across the country are planning a wide-range of events to not only showcase the quality, diversity and vibrancy of their ENTEs, but also to challenge the common negative, stereotypical perceptions about the safety and quality of our town and city centres during the evening period.

Ballina Purple flag plans on ‘painting the town purple’ by lighting the town’s iconic pedestrian bridge and Ballina Municipal District Council will raise the purple flag over its offices on Friday evening to kick start Purple Flag weekend.

Purple Flag Weekend 7th – 9th October

Ballina has an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment with a variety of events planned over the weekend;

Bolg Bui, Bridge St, Live music with Pat and Mick from 9.30pm till late

Emmetts Bar, Connolly St, Reggae Disco from 10pm

Saturday 8th October

Great National Hotel Ballina, Strictly at the Movies, 8pm. Tickets: €20

Ten couples take to the floor in this joint event produced by Ballina Stephenites Squash Club and Ballina Stephenites GAA Club. A star studded night of glitz and glamour – Hollywood style with a huge entertainment factor – Tickets will be on sale at a cost of €20 which includes entry to a grand raffle on the night.

The Broken Jug, O’Rahilly St, Trad Sessions, 8pm – 10pm followed by DJ and late Bar

The Broken Jug, Tommy Maloney, live music from 7pm – 9pm. Live on stage from 10.30pm Lee Munn & Friends

Ballina Taxi Co-op gets you home

Get home safely with;

This series of purple events intends to capture people’s imaginations, change perceptions and encourage people to do something different with their evening in a variety of locations.

Ballina is also celebrating after learning it has retained the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation for its evening and night-time economy (ENTE).

Feedback from the assessors included;

There was a clear sense of community in problems, challenges and benefits shared – incredibly strong

The range of pubs and facilities is well above the standard for this size of town.

A Number of public buildings have been refurbished and opebed for broader use. The standard of presentation is excellent.

With Purple Flag is a town and city centre award which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres in the ENTE between the hours of 5pm to 5am. Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and well being of visitors and local residents.

Paul Regan, Chairperson of the Purple Flag Committee and President of the Ballina Chamber of Commerce expressed his delight at the news of Ballina retaining the Purple Flag Award.

‘It is a testament to the hard working community groups in the town, Ballina Municipal District Council, An Garda Siochana, Ballina Chamber of Commerce and Ballina’s Hospitality sector who have all come together to work towards Ballina retaining the Purple Flag Award, and giving locals and visitors to the town a safe and entertaining place to enjoy. Well done all involved.’

Youtube

Socialise

About Ballina

Situated close to the mouth of Killala Bay, right on the Wild Atlantic Way, Ballina is located just 40 minutes’ drive from Ireland West International Airport and, easily accessible by rail and bus is the perfect base from which to explore the wonderfully unspoilt, undiscovered gems of the North Mayo region.